The Federal Road Safety Corps has rescued 13 road users from a fire related crash in Enugu State.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the crash which occurred on Saturday, January 25 was as a result of brake failure.
This, he said involved 17 vehicles in the category of one petroleum ladened tanker, one water tanker, 15 other vehicles and one tricycle.
Mr Ogungbemide said that 31 people were involved in the crash, while 10 were rescued with varying degrees of injury and three rescued unharmed.
He said, “Unfortunately, the 18 remaining victims were burnt beyond recognition. From the preliminary report received by the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the tanker which was loaded with premium motor spirit experienced a brake failure. The driver lost grip of the wheels before crashing onto the 17 vehicles leading to a fire outbreak that left 11 vehicles burnt.’’
Mr Ogungbemide said that the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, commissioners for transportation and health and the state commissioner of police, all participated in the rescue operations.
He named other participants as FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of RS9 Enugu, the Sector Commander, Enugu and State Director, Department of State Services.
He said that traffic had been diverted to the inward Enugu lane in order to ensure ease of movement along that route, adding that evacuation of burnt vehicles is on-going.
He quoted the corps marshal as calling on motorists plying the said road to exercise caution and use the alternative routes for safety and ease of vehicular movement.
Mr Mohammed, however, commiserated with the families of the victims and wished the injured quick recovery.
(NAN)